December 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Peter Kovar (202) 225-9400 

“European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson’s attack on Senator Hillary Clinton for her position on trade is a graphic example of why he will not succeed in his efforts to conclude a new world-wide trade treaty this year.

“Senator Clinton has voiced the views of many of us, including I believe a substantial majority of Democrats and a significant number of Republicans as well, that trade should not go forward without measures that deal with the impact it has on income distribution and employment within countries. Mr. Mandelson’s dismissal of these sorts of concerns as ‘protectionist’ reinforces the view of many that the most ardent advocates of free trade treaties that ignore social and economic consequences cannot be trusted to make decisions about this important subject. It is particularly disappointing to me that Mr. Mandelson, who comes politically from the British Labor Party, would show such a lack of concern for the negative impacts that past trade treaties have had on many working people.

“Senator Clinton has not called for an end to trade. Instead, she has articulated the position that is essential if any significant increase in trade is to go forward – namely that for economic globalization to go forward in any of its various forms, responsible policymakers cannot simply cite its positive aspects, but must work to offset the negative effects it has on many working people. The notion that free trade – and other forms of unrestricted globalization – are unmitigated good things, is bad economics and even worse social policy. Instead of injecting himself into the American presidential election with his attack on Hillary Clinton, Mr. Mandelson should be listening to what she and many others have been saying because only when he understands and acts on this, will he be able to make progress in achieving the goal of increased trade.”

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